System and method for using a capsule device

ABSTRACT

A capsule device configured to navigate through a patient&#39;s GI track is disclosed. System and method to turn on the capsule device based on acceleration is described. First the capsule is monitored at a slow sampling mode. Then the capsule is monitored at a fast sampling mode. A user can input hand motion to change the acceleration to turn on the capsule device.

CROSS-REFERENCE

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This patent application relates to the art of capsule devices to be usedin medical related applications, and more particularly, to the art ofsystems and methods to turn on a capsule device from shelf state to aworking state.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Capsule endoscopy not only has been demonstrated to be very successfulin examining patient's interior, but shows clear advantage overtraditional endoscope techniques when it comes to examining a patient'ssmall intestine, where areas or portions of the gastrointestinal tractare not readily accessible by traditional standard endoscopy techniques.

Vibration capsule by acting on human colonic wall can alleviate colonspasm and promote colonic motility, treat constipation, and promotebeauty and health. Further, vibration capsules have shown to promote thesmall intestine peristalsis, reduce the absorption of food in the smallintestine, and achieve weight loss effects.

However, for both endoscope type of capsule and vibration type capsule,maintaining low power consumption and reducing unnecessary power usageduring shelf or storage time remains a challenge. The power consumptionof the capsule device is proportional to the duration of working period.It is commonly accepted that saving most of the power for working periodand effectively separating working period and non-working period is verypractical and important.

In another words, there is a need to precisely turn on the capsule whenit is really needed and otherwise keeping the capsule at a low powerconsumption at shelf or storage period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a system and method to turn on a capsuledevice.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a capsule devicehas long shelf time by having low power consumption during shelf time,for example to keep the shelf time for at least a year.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method toaccurate turn on the capsule without falsely turning it on.

It is still another object of the present invention that the method toturn on the capsule must require the least possible power as well as theturn on protocol must be easy to adopt for an average consumer.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide method toturn on the capsule or the turn-on protocol does not require anadditional part that adds to either weight or cost of the capsulemanufacture.

The method to turn on the capsule device disclosed herein is directed tochange a capsule from a non-working state to a working state based onthe acceleration data detected by an acceleration sensor placed in situ.The method steps comprises monitoring an acceleration of the capsule inthree dimensions at a low sampling frequency when the capsule is knownto be in a non-working state; when a collected acceleration data isabove a first threshold value, changing the measurement samplingfrequency to a high sampling frequency and continuing to monitor theacceleration of the capsule in three dimensions; when the collectedacceleration data at the high sampling frequency continues to be above asecond threshold value, preparing the capsule to pre-working state byrequesting confirmation from a user of the capsule. In the presentmethod, the low sampling frequency is preferably to between 2-10 Hz andthe high sampling frequency is preferably to be between 20-1000 Hz. Thetime duration for the high sampling frequency detection is no more than3 seconds and the time duration for the pre-working state is no morethan 10 seconds.

The system, disclosed herein to be used in conjunction with the abovemethod, comprises an acceleration sensor, detecting an acceleration ofthe capsule in three dimensions at two or more different frequencies; amicrocontroller unit, configured to take input from the accelerationsensor, perform calculations and compare with a first and secondthreshold values; capsule initiation unit, to request confirmation for auser and a power supply providing power to the acceleration sensor,microcontroller unit and capsule initiation unit. The accelerationsensor in the present invention is an accelerometer (g-sensor).

In one aspect of the present invention, in one example, the capsuleinitiation unit further comprises a wireless communication unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in one example, the methodfurther comprises a step of instructing to turn on the capsule through awireless communication unit.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in another example, themethod further comprises a step of requesting a confirmation from a userby turning on a LED inside of the capsule.

In a second aspect of the present invention, in another example, themethod further comprises a step of requesting a confirmation from a usersuggesting and detecting a hand motion of a user while having thecapsule in hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be more clearly understoodfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an exemplary capsule device inaccordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a process flow diagram of oneembodiment method in accordance with aspects of the present invention;and

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a process flow diagram of anotherembodiment method in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, selected examples of a system for a capsule device to beplaced in a target location and methods of using the same will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Forsimplicity purpose, the capsule device is explained in the context ofbiomedical applications, i.e. the target location is an in vivolocation, for example a location inside a digestive tract. Forsimplicity purpose, the medical device disclosed herein is designed tobe placed in vivo. One of the non-invasive methods of delivery is byswallow into a digestive tract. Therefore the medical device discloseherein is referred as a capsule, which should not be construed as alimitation for its shape, dimension or size. The capsule devicedisclosed herein and methods of using the same can be implemented formany other applications as long as there is a in situ movementgeneration means, a control module that can mange the movementgeneration means and a wireless communication module to communicate withthe control module.

In the scope of the present invention, fast sampling mode means collectmeasurement data under high sampling frequency. Slow sampling mode meanscollect measurement data under low sampling frequency. Acceleration dataalong one axis is the detected acceleration data along that particularaxis. Combined acceleration value or combined acceleration data, ortotal acceleration data is the calculated root square of two or moresingle acceleration value along one individual axis. For example totalacceleration of a capsule when individual acceleration value along axisa (Aa) and axis b (Ab) is sqrt(ax^2+ay^2+az^2). In the scope of thepresent invention, when a sensor data is recited, it can be either anindividual acceleration data along one axis, or a combined accelerationdata that is the calculated after the individual acceleration data alongtwo or more axes have been measured.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the followingdiscussion is for demonstration purposes, and should not be interpretedas a limitation. Other variances within the scope of this disclosure arealso applicable.

The structure and method of using a capsule device is described indetail below. Elements in the drawings are

-   -   100 capsule device    -   102 acceleration sensor

A capsule system comprises a capsule device, configured to be placed ininside a patient's GI track. In one embodiment, the capsule communicatewith an external operation system is placed outside of a patient's body.In one example, the external device is portable device such as a smartphone. A basic capsule device, is configured to communicate with theexternal operation system through a wireless communication network.

The present invention is directed to systems and methods how a capsulecan be effectively changed from a non-working state to a working state.In present invention, a sensor is employed to place inside the capsuledevice, and the sensor is connected to a microcontroller unit, whichconfigured to take input from the acceleration sensor. Based on themeasured changes detected by the sensor, the microcontroller “guesses”if the capsule intends to be in a working state or non-working state bysending out instructions to take more measurement at differentconditions and/or request a confirm from a user to input commands eitherthrough a user interface or not through a user interface.

In accordance with the aspects of the present invention, in oneembodiment, the sensor enclosed in the capsule is a motion sensor. Firstthe motion sensor is calibrated with a normal shelf motion value. In oneexample, the motion sensor measures a motion data, the sensor data iscompared with the shelf motion value and then decide if more measurementis needed or a user confirmation should be requested.

As the goal of the present invention, is to maintain low powerconsumption and reduce unnecessary power usage during shelf or storagetime and effectively and accurately change to working period fromnon-working period when that is confirmed by a user.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor enclosedin the capsule is an acceleration sensor. In one example, first theacceleration sensor is calibrated with a normal shelf accelerationvalue. In one example, the acceleration sensor measures an accelerationdata, the sensor data is compared with the shelf acceleration value andthen decide if more measurement is needed or a user confirmation shouldbe sent.

When the sensor is an acceleration sensor, in another example, based onthe acceleration data detected by an acceleration sensor placed insidethe capsule and its comparison with a first threshold accelerationvalue, the microcontroller inside the capsule will decide if moremeasurement is needed or a user confirmation should be requested.

The present invention discloses a method to change capsule from anon-working state to a working state, or in short turning on thecapsule. The method steps comprise first monitoring an acceleration ofthe capsule in three dimensions at a first sampling frequency when thecapsule is known to be in a non-working state. When a collectedacceleration data is determined to be equal to or greater than a firstthreshold acceleration value, then more measurement under a differentcondition is performed. In one example, the step of performing moremeasurement under different condition include changing the measurementsampling frequency to a second sampling frequency and continuing tomonitor the acceleration of the capsule in three dimensions; when thecollected acceleration data at the second sampling frequency continuesto be above a second threshold acceleration value, then placing thecapsule in a pre-working state. The step of placing the capsule inpre-working state including requesting confirmation from a user of thecapsule. In the present invention, the second sampling frequency ishigher than the first sampling frequency so that the acceleration datais more evident to detect to avoid false positive or false negativeinformation.

In the present method, in one example, the first sampling frequency isbetween 0.2-10 Hz

In another example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-8 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-6 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-5 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-4 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-3 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-2 Hz. Inanother example, the first sampling frequency is between 0.2-1 Hz.

In the present method, in one example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-2000 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-1000 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-500 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-250 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-120 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-60 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-40 Hz. In another example, the second sampling frequency isbetween 10-20 Hz.

The time period when capsule is monitored under the first samplingfrequency is defined as a first acceleration period. At the firstacceleration period, the capsule under non-working state, which includesa shelf time period, storage period or a rest period in between workingperiod.

The time period when capsule is monitored under the second samplingfrequency is defined as a second acceleration period. At the secondacceleration period, the capsule is continued to be monitored foracceleration data and the acceleration data is collected and comparedwith the second threshold acceleration value. However the secondacceleration period differs the first acceleration period in that thesecond acceleration period has a time limitation. The time limitation isdriven by the low power consumption requirement. In one example, thesecond acceleration period is less than 5 seconds. In another example,the second acceleration period is less than 4 seconds. In anotherexample, the second acceleration period is less than 3 seconds. Inanother example, the second acceleration period is less than 2 seconds.

The time period that the capsule placed under pre-working state isdefined as a third acceleration period. In general, the thirdacceleration period last less than 10 seconds.

At the third acceleration period, in one example, while the capsule isconditioned at pre-working state, the capsule is continued to bemonitored for acceleration data and the acceleration data is continuedto be collected and compared with a third or fourth thresholdacceleration value. In one instance, the combined total accelerationvalue on both a and b axes are calculated after they are collected andcompared with a third threshold acceleration value. In another instance,the acceleration value on individual axis are measured, collected andcompared with a fourth threshold acceleration value. In still anotherinstance, the combined total acceleration value on more than one axes,for example, both a and b axes, are calculated after they are collectedand compared with a third threshold acceleration value, and if thecombined acceleration value is greater or equal to the third thresholdacceleration value, then individual acceleration data along two moreindividual axis is measured and compared with a fourth thresholdacceleration value. Collecting more than more individual accelerationdata and comparing the individual measurement data with an individualthreshold data can effectively determine if the capsule is acceleratedin a specific pattern, according to a request to confirm turning on thecapsule. By doing so, the false positive result can be effectiveminimized or actually eliminated. At this time period, the individualacceleration data is created by a user through a series of hand motionsto purposely let the acceleration sensor detect an acceleration datagreater than the predetermined third or fourth threshold accelerationvalue.

At the third acceleration period, while the capsule is conditioned atpre-working state, in a second example, the capsule is either continuedto be monitored for acceleration data or the acceleration data is not tobe collected, a wireless communication module is turned on to requestconfirmation from a user if the capsule is intended to be turned on.Such steps including turning on a wireless communication unit betweenthe capsule and an external user interface; receiving a command from theexternal user interface to turn on the capsule.

At the third acceleration period, in a second example, the capsule iseither continued to be monitored for acceleration data or theacceleration data is not to be collected, a communication module isturned on to alert a user or request confirmation from a user if thecapsule is intended to be turned on. Such steps include turning on a LEDinside the capsule to alert a user and/or requesting confirmation;requesting a user to input command through an external user interface orrequesting a user to input a hand motion so confirm the turning on thecapsule device. In one example, the LED light blinks twice to requestfurther input from a user.

The hand motion, disclosed herein, is required to generate requestedeither combined or individual acceleration data in different axis,wherein the combined or individual acceleration data is significantlyand measurably different from any acceleration data that can be detectedwhile the capsule is in a non-working state.

In one example, the third and/or fourth threshold acceleration value isset to between 3-5 g, so that the value of the acceleration ismeasurably different created by shipping during storage or shelf time.Wherein g is the Gravitational acceleration of a 9.8 m/s² on earth.

In another example, a threshold value requires not only a certainacceleration value but also a certain acceleration direction, and thedirection of acceleration is distinctive to any directions that can becreated by shipping during storage or shelf time. For instance, thethreshold direction requirement can be very strictly perpendicular to aground level, indicating a hand motion of moving the capsule up anddown. In another instance, the threshold direction requirement can bevery strictly horizontal to a ground level, indicating a hand motion ofmoving the capsule left and right.

In another example, when the capsule is conditioned at the pre-workingstate and ready for a user confirmation if the capsule should be turnedon. The confirmation protocol can include more than one hand motions ina particular sequence so that the capsule will not be turned on falsepositively. Even though the collected combined, individual accelerationdata, or even the direction of acceleration are not very distinctivefrom other unexpected situations, but the sequence of individualoccurrence of the acceleration data and acceleration directions can beused to accurately determine if the sensor data is from a hand motion ofa user who confirms to turn on the capsule device.

In order to preserve power consumption, the third acceleration periodhas a preset time limit. Once the preset time limit for thirdacceleration period expires, the capsule is sent back to the non-workingstate, including monitoring acceleration of the capsule in threedimensions at a first sampling frequency for a first period andcalculating a first acceleration value. The time limit or interval forthe third acceleration time period is between about 5 s-1 minute. In oneexample the time limit or interval for the third acceleration timeperiod is about 10 s.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an actual example of the method disclosed here.In one embodiment, the method includes the following steps. Detecting afirst acceleration data at a low sample mode; if the first accelerationdata is more than a first threshold acceleration value, then collectinga second acceleration data at a fast sample mode; if a combinedacceleration data for more than one axes is greater than a secondthreshold acceleration value, then placing the capsule for a pre-workingstate; Turning on a wireless communication unit between the capsule andan external user interface; receiving a command from the external userinterface to turn on the capsule; and turning on the capsule. If thecombined acceleration data is less than the second threshold value,sending the capsule back to non-working state including monitoringacceleration of the capsule in three dimensions at a low sample mode fora first period and calculating a first acceleration value.

In another embodiment, the method disclosed herein include the followingsteps: detecting a second group of individual acceleration data alongindividual acceleration axis under a fast sample mode for the secondtime period; determining if the total acceleration data based on thesecond group of individual acceleration data in the second time periodexceed a second threshold acceleration value, which is 5 g, wherein g isthe Gravitational acceleration of a 9.8 m/s² on earth; Requesting a userto input one or more hand motion to generate a third group accelerationdata purposely; detecting the third group of horizontal accelerationdata and a vertical acceleration data; if the combined acceleration databased on the third group of horizontal acceleration data and a verticalacceleration data exceed a third threshold acceleration value within thethird time period, then turning on the capsule; otherwise sending thecapsule back into non-working state by monitoring acceleration of thecapsule in three dimensions at a first frequency for a first period andcalculating a first acceleration data; and monitor the capsule at a fastsample mode when the first acceleration data exceeds a first thresholdacceleration value.

The present invention is also directed to systems that implemented inthe foregoing method steps. The system includes a capsule device.Optionally, the system further includes an external user interface to beused in communication with the capsule device.

The capsule device is configured to navigate through a patient's GItrack. The capsule device comprises a housing, an acceleration sensor, amicrocontroller unit, and a power supply. In accordance with the aspectsof the present invention, the housing has a length L, which is a longestdimension of the capsule. The acceleration sensor is configured todetect an acceleration of the capsule in three dimensions at a firstfrequency at a first time period, wherein the acceleration sensor hasthree axes, x, y, and z. The z-axis of the acceleration sensor isparallel to the length L of the capsule housing, and x and y-axes of theacceleration sensor are perpendicular to the length L of the capsulehousing. The microcontroller unit is connected to acceleration sensorand configured to take input from the acceleration sensor, performcalculations and determine the current state of the capsule. The currentstate includes a first period, a second period or a third period. Thecapsule device also comprises a power supply, which provides power tothe acceleration sensor, microcontroller unit and capsule initiationunit. The capsule initiation unit works in the capsule pre-workingstate. The capsule initiation unit sends alerts to a user of the capsuleto request further information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the capsule device comprises athree-dimensional sensor.

In one embodiment, the capsule initiation unit comprises a wirelesscommunication module, which sends out information to an external userinterface and receives a command from the external user interface.

In another embodiment, the capsule initiation unit comprises a LED lightinside the capsule housing, which is turned on, sends out alert ornotification to a user that the capsule is conditioned at pre-workingstate, and requests further confirmation including either an input froma user interface or a hand motion.

The capsule device disclosed herein is a vibration capsule comprises amotor.

The capsule device disclosed herein is a capsule endoscope comprising animage sensor.

The capsule device disclosed herein comprises capsule functionalcomponents and capsule structural components. In accordance with theaspects of the present invention, the capsule can have any shape andgeometries. The housing of the capsule device, including but is notlimited to diamond, oval, elongated, marquise, dumbbell-shaped and soon. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, the capsule device comprise iselongated and have two half domed ends. Referring to FIG. 1, the housingfor the capsule device have a front end and rear end. The capsule havesa length characterized as L. The acceleration sensor is placed insidethe capsule and having three axes, x, y and z. The z-axis isperpendicular to the capsule length L and x and y-axis are parallel tothe capsule length L. The capsule length is measured by the length ofthe housing protecting the capsule. In the present invention, thehousing of the capsule device has an axis along the length of thecapsule device.

In accordance with the aspects of the present invention, the capsuledevice can be of any dimension or size as long as the capsule device canbe placed inside a GI track of a patient. For example, it is preferredthat a capsule device can be introduced into a patient's GI track in anon-invasive method such as swallowing. The patient herein includes bothhuman being and an animal. Referring to FIG. 1, the capsule device has alength from its front end to its rear end. In one example, the length ofthe capsule device is 27.6 mm. Also referring to FIG. 1, the capsuledevice has two half-domed ends. The diameter for the half dome ends isthe diameter of the capsule device. In one example, the diameter for thecapsule device is about 11.8 mm.

In accordance with the aspects of the present invention capsule devicecan be of any weight as long as it does not cause significant discomfortfor the patient when it moves or vibrates. The weight is distributedalong and around the capsule axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the power supplyunit, the acceleration sensor and other functional units are arrangedalong the length of the capsule device. In one example, the weight ofthe capsule is less than 6 g. In another example, the weight of thecapsule is less than 5 g. In still another example, the weight of thecapsule is less than 4.5 g. Further, the capsule device disclosedherein, is configured to generate either a stirring or motion to massagethe GI track wall to improve the in vivo digestive conditions. Theweight of the capsule devices is proportional related to theeffectiveness of the massages. In one example, the weight of the capsuleis more than 2 g. In another example, the weight of the capsule is lessthan 3 g. In still another example, the weight of the capsule is lessthan 4 g. In still another example, the weight of the capsule is morethan 4.5 g.

In one embodiment, power supply unit provides power to all the capsulefunctional units in the capsule device through a power management unit.In one example, the power management unit comprises a microcontrollerand other units to manage power usage of the capsule to achieve ultimatelow power consumption.

In accordance with the aspect of the present invention, the wirelesscommunication unit disclosed herein can be selected from a Rfcommunication method, AC current-magnetic field interactive method,and/or in body contact electrode method. In one embodiment, wirelesscommunication unit includes Rf antennas, a Rf transceiver module, abuild in or a separate microcontroller on PCB Through the wirelesscommunication unit, the capsule device can establish a connection with aBluetooth device, which in turn communicates with an external userinterface for example a smart phone or Internet data center or a cloudserver center. The Rf transceiver can use either 433 MHz, or 2.4 GHz ascommunication sampling frequency.

In another embodiment, the wireless communication unit receivesinformation from a microcontroller unit, which compare and calculatesensor data in order to identify the current state of the capsuledevice.

In one embodiment, the external user interface of an external device isa smart phone user interface, which further connected to a network witha data center or cloud service center. The external device is a userspecific device that can retrieve specific individual capsuleidentification information from the wireless communication unit. A usercan customize a user specific sequence of hand motions or preferences asconfirmation to turn on the capsule device.

In one aspect of the present invention, the capsule device comprises a 3dimensional acceleration sensor, wherein the acceleration sensor hasthree axes in three dimensions and can detect accelerations in the threedimensions. In another aspect of the present invention, the accelerationsensor is only a one-dimensional sensor. The one-dimensional sensor hasonly one axis and can only detect acceleration in one dimension. Whenthe one dimension sensor is used in capsule, the direction is indicatedas the z direction, parallel to the length direction of the capsule.

In one embodiment, the method to use a capsule device comprises onlyone-dimension acceleration sensor, comprises confirming to turn on acapsule by collecting acceleration data along its length direction twicebut in opposite directions. For example, a user of the capsule devicecan hold the capsule along its length direction, so that the lengthdirection is positioned vertically and moving the capsule up and down.Then the capsule can be flipped and same hand motion is performed again.In this embodiment, when the capsule is packaged and under shipment, thecapsule is lying down having its length direction horizontal rather thanvertical. Then when the capsule is needed to be turned on, moving thecapsule along its length direction up and down can create acceleration.Then the capsule is turned 180 degrees and the hand motion is createdagain. The acceleration created by the individual hand motion, and incombination with a second one following right afterwards, jointlycreated a capsule movement pattern that has will not be encounteredduring regular shipment.

In the aforementioned method of using the capsule device, the samplerate or sample frequency detected by the acceleration sensor can bestored in a history file with specific user or geographic information.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the abovediscussion is for demonstration purpose; and the examples discussedabove are some of many possible examples. Other variations are alsoapplicable.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.Furthermore, for ease of understanding, certain method procedures mayhave been delineated as separate procedures; however, these separatelydelineated procedures should not be construed as necessarily orderdependent in their performance. That is, some procedures may be able tobe performed in an alternative ordering, simultaneously, etc. Inaddition, exemplary diagrams illustrate various methods in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. Such exemplary methodembodiments are described herein using and can be applied tocorresponding apparatus embodiments, however, the method embodiments arenot intended to be limited thereby.

Although few embodiments of the present invention have been illustratedand described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention. The foregoing embodiments aretherefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather thanlimiting on the invention described herein. Scope of the invention isthus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. As usedin this disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means“preferably, but not limited to.” Terms in the claims should be giventheir broadest interpretation consistent with the general inventiveconcept as set forth in this description. For example, the terms“coupled” and “connect” (and derivations thereof) are used to connoteboth direct and indirect connections/couplings. As another example,“having” and “including”, derivatives thereof and similar transitionalterms or phrases are used synonymously with “comprising” (i.e., all areconsidered “open ended” terms)—only the phrases “consisting of” and“consisting essentially of” should be considered as “close ended”.Claims are not intended to be interpreted under 112 sixth paragraphunless the phrase “means for” and an associated function appear in aclaim and the claim fails to recite sufficient structure to perform suchfunction.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: changing a capsule from anon-working state to a pre-working state and subsequently turning on thecapsule based on acceleration data measured by an acceleration sensorinside the capsule, comprising: step 1: monitoring acceleration data ofthe capsule at a first sampling frequency for a first period anddetermining a first acceleration value; step 2: monitoring accelerationdata of the capsule in three dimensions at a second sampling frequencyfor a second period and combining the acceleration data in threedimensions to obtain a total second acceleration value, after the firstacceleration value is determined to be higher than a first thresholdvalue, wherein the second sampling frequency is higher than the firstsampling frequency; and step 3: placing the capsule in a pre-workingstate before turning on the capsule if the total second accelerationvalue is more than a second threshold value, monitoring horizontal andvertical acceleration data, and comparing with a third threshold value,for a third period; or going back to step 1, when the third periodexceeds a predetermined time interval.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinplacing the capsule in the pre-working state further comprisesinstructing to turn on the capsule through a wireless communicationunit.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the capsule in thepre-working state further comprises requesting a user of the capsule toprovide instruction to turn on the capsule by using a LED of thecapsule.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein placing the capsule in thepre-working state further comprises requesting a user to input a handmotion to purposely change an acceleration of the capsule as aconfirmation to turn on the capsule.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinthe third threshold value is between 3 g-5 g and g is the Gravitationalacceleration of a 9.8 m/s² on earth.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first sampling frequency is between 0.2-8 Hz.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the second sampling frequency is between 10-60 Hz.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the second period is less than 3 seconds. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the third period is between 5 s-1 minute.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second threshold accelerationvalue is 5 g and g is the Gravitational acceleration of a 9.8 m/s² onearth.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the third thresholdacceleration value further includes a direction.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein in step 3, the step of monitoring horizontal and verticalacceleration data, and comparing with a third threshold value, furthercomprises monitoring horizontal and vertical acceleration data and itssequence of occurrences and comparing with a third threshold value andfourth threshold value and sequence of occurrences.